A smart home allows you to control various devices using a smartphone, tablet, and even with your own voice. Smart home technology can make daily tasks in your home simple. This technology can also keep your home safe and secure. If you want to live in a smart home, there are plenty of components that can be added for convenience, comfort, safety, and entertainment.
#1 Smart Speakers
One of the most essential components necessary in creating a smart home is a smart speaker. The two top smart speakers are Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. These devices act as your smart home’s hub and can follow voice commands to control your lights, home security system, and other smart features. As long as you buy smart home components that are compatible with your smart speakers, you can control many smart home features from the speaker.
Also, smart speakers will set timers, answer your questions and even give you daily reminders. Smart speakers are the first step in creating a smart home.
#2 Smart Lighting
Smart lighting allows you to turn the lights on and off and make them dimmer or brighter using either an app on your smartphone or using your voice. When it comes to smart lighting, there are a few options based on your individual needs.
*Smart bulbs: Smart bulbs function either with your home’s Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. If your smart bulbs work with an app, you can use your phone or tablet to change the lighting in every room with a smart bulb. You can also program your lights to turn on and off at certain times. This will keep you from coming home to a dark house and will provide additional security.
*Smart switches: Smart switches operate on your home’s Wi-Fi, and there is no need to install an expensive central hub. You can use an app instead of the switch, which allows you to control everything from the palm of your hand.
*Smart plugs: The lamps in your home can be plugged into a smart plug, which can control them with an app; if you have an Amazon Alexia or another similar device, you can control the lamps with the sound of your voice.
#3 Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats can make your home more comfortable and can save more energy than a programmable thermostat. Smart thermostats are capable of more than just scheduling times when the heat or air conditioner will turn up and down. Many smart thermostats can detect when you are home and when you aren’t, which will save energy without you needing to make the adjustments yourself.
These thermostats have sensors that can tell which rooms are being occupied. If you aren’t in a room, the smart thermostat will tell the HVAC which rooms need to be heated or cooled and which ones don’t. This is a huge energy saver.
If you buy a smart thermostat that is compatible with your Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can use voice commands to control your thermostat.
The invention of the smart thermostat has made programmable thermostats obsolete.
#4 Home Security Cameras
Your home won’t be a smart home without home security camera installation. Indoor cameras are great to keep an eye on your home while you are away. If you have school-age children, you can check in on them using your indoor cameras while you are at work. You can also keep an eye on your pets, and the motion sensors will let you know if there is anyone in the house who shouldn’t be there.
Outdoor home security cameras will let you know when someone is outside the house. The motion sensors will activate an alert on your phone, giving you a chance to call the police if the cameras detect an intruder on your property. Many outdoor security cameras have sensor lights, helping you find your way in the dark.
No smart home security system is complete without a smart doorbell. These doorbells have cameras with motion detectors, so you can see who is at the door and will be notified by an alert on your smartphone. They also have two-way speaker systems so that you can speak to the person at the door from anywhere in the world.
There are plenty of smart home security cameras available. Many popular brands, such as Ring, are easy to install and easy to use.
#5 Multi-Room Audio System
If you love to have music playing in your home, a multi-room audio system is a great addition to your smart home. You can drop speakers in multiple rooms in the house, and they can be hooked to your music collection or the music streaming service you are subscribed to. You can sync the same songs to every room or send different tracks to each room.
Many audio systems have smart bars that can be hooked to your TV, making your watching experience better.
Most multi-room audio systems can be controlled through a simple app. Every family member can log into the app, allowing them to listen to their favorite music in any room they are in.
#6 Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Every home needs a smoke and carbon monoxide detector. When setting up a smart home, you should have a smart detector. Not only will a smart detector create a loud local alarm, but it will also send an alert to your smartphone if there is danger. This will let you know if a fire breaks out or if there is a carbon monoxide leak when you aren’t home.
This can prevent you from losing your entire home in a fire. It will also prevent you from walking into the home if there is a carbon monoxide leak. These smart detectors will make your home safer than a traditional smoke alarm.
#7 Smart Irrigation
If your grass and garden are going to thrive, these areas need to be watered regularly. Instead of taking the time to go out and water the lawn or turn the sprinklers on and off, you can install a smart irrigation system. You can control the irrigation system from your smartphone. If you have the sprinklers on a timer and it starts to rain, you can control the system from anywhere in the world with a Wi-Fi connection. Smart irrigation systems will help your landscape thrive, and you can save a significant amount of water.
Should I Hire a Professional To Install My Smart Home Components?
If you are planning to install just a smart doorbell, you can do it on your own. However, if you want a complete smart home, it is best to hire a professional electrician. Professionals know the best brands and the essential components to install. They also know how to install these components and which apps, or hubs are necessary to keep your smart home functioning properly.
When you hire a professional, they can teach you to use each component and show you what the components are capable of.
If you don’t know much about technology, it is best to hire a professional. This is the best way to get the most out of your smart home.